Grade 12 Parents Information Presentation

1. Grade 12 Parents Information Presentation Ms. Brown Mr. Gosney Can I Graduate? About Post Secondary How Do I Apply? How Can I Pay? Fall 2011

2. GRADE 12 = Potential Grad • GRADE 12: students who, when the year begins, can graduate during or at the end of this school year. • But if a student fails a course the student will ineligible to graduate. You will be dropped from the potential grad list.

3. CREDIT CHECK ANDGRAD LIST • The Counsellors complete credit checks to ensure a student is eligible to graduate. • The Potential Grad List is the list of all who are eligible to graduate. • The list is meant to show you what we have on record as a student’s legal full name in order to prepare their diploma for graduation.

4. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS • Maximum 7 Grade 10 credits • Minimum 5 Grade 12 • Must include 13 specific credits listed at the right: • 3 English • Science #1 & #2 • 2 Math (10 & 11) • 1 Cdn History 11 • 1 Global Studies 12 • 1 Physical Education • 1 Fine Arts • 2 further Math/Sci/Tech

5. GRAD REQUIREMENTS (CONTINUED) NOTE: 2 courses of the same subject and same grade level can only count as 1 credit except Pre Cal Math 12 and Calculus. Example:MAF11+MAT11+MAD11=just one credit.

6. Be Careful!!!!!!!!!!! • You may be meeting graduation requirements BUT your courses might not be suitable for admission into the post-secondary program you aspire to.

7. CAREER SERVICES IN THE GUIDANCE OFFICE AND ONLINE • Millwood High Virtual Guidance Office • Career Counselling from fully certified Counsellors • PUBLICATIONS: Career Options, Booklets, Occupational Monographs • “Career Cruising” : a fun computerized occupational search programs – answer about yourself and the computer matches your answers with occupations • Career Options Online: http://careeroptions.ednet.ns.ca • JOB ACQUISITION HELP: Help with your resumes and for interviews

8. About Post Secondary

9. Post-secondary means after high school Training implies hands-on or technical learning, often relating to a particular occupation. Education means learning in a more general way, Such as learning to learn, learning to think, gaining new knowledge that doesn’t relate to a particular job. Institution means a school of some kind Program means a set of courses usually leading to a diploma of some kind or to a particular occupation.

10. WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? (“Post-secondary options”) • Go directly to full-time work • Military Training and Employment • Apprenticeship (a formal on-the-job training program) for skilled trades • Private Career College: Business, Cosmetology, Computer etc. • Community College for trades, technology, business • University

11. Contains links to all the institutions commonly attended by Millwood students. • Go on-line (directly such as www.dal.ca, or www.nscc.ca) • or via links at sites such as www.schoolfinder.com • or at our on-line Guidance Office which has lists of links

12. About UNIVERSITY • Intended to develop thinking, research and general knowledge (to produce an “educated person”), not necessarily to train for a specific occupation, BUT • Some programs do train for jobs, such as law, medicine, teaching, nursing, dentistry, etc. • Universities range in size from tiny (<100 students) to huge (>30,000) [Dal is 15,000] • Tuition averages about $5000 to $8000 per year. Maritimes relatively high. Nfld is cheaper.

13. UNIVERSITY Programming • Programs are mostly at least three years long • The most popular programs are in: • Arts (such as English, History, Languages, Sociology, etc), • Sciences (such as Physics, Biology, etc), • Commerce or Business. These do not usually train you specifically for a particular occupation, but are necessary for entry into many occupations, where you get specific training. • Important to explore options available as some programming has become more diverse and job oriented (i.e.: Bachelor of Computer Science – Informatics)

14. Plan Ahead!!!!!!!!!! Are you thinking of becoming a lawyer, a vet, a physician, a dentist, a teacher, a research scientist, a psychologist, physiotherapist,etc? • All of these require you to: • First complete a bachelor’s degree • Then go on to further university • Education for at least one other degree.

15. General Requirements for University Admission (Atlantic Canada) • English 12 and four other acceptable Grade 12 academiccourses (may have to include Math or Pre-Calculus Math and/or other courses depending on desired program) • About 70% in each of the required courses (English and ???) and about a 70% average in the five courses with nomark below 60% • Note: these are typical but some cut-off averages can be higher or lower – Tend to be higher in Quebec and Ontario. Small or specific programs like nursing will have higher cutoffs. • These can change without notice

16. General Requirements for University Admission (Atlantic Canada) • Math is not necessarily a requirement for some programs, but at some universities everyone must have at least some high school academic math. • Pre Cal Math and a varying number of Gr 12 sciences are usually needed for science and engineering degree programs This can vary outside NS, such as at Memorial in Newfoundland.

17. OTHER OPTIONS: Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario: • a military university • requires high academics for acceptance • must be accepted into military • free tuition; paid while there • military life while there; military training summers • must serve for 5+ years after completion • Check with Military recruiters about this and other military options. Canadian Coast Guard College, Sydney • Free, requires high marks, Math, Physics, maybe French

18. U.S. UNIVERSITIES • Should apply as soon as possible. • Usually require SAT I (or ACT) scores: -write at Dalhousie -apply by late October to write in early December or apply in mid December to write in late January -SAT’s may also be needed for international scholarships

19. About Community College • Offer programs that train you for specific occupations. Some of these occupations or trades may pay more than university-oriented jobs and have more likelihood of employment. • Skilled trades, computer, business, service, helping occupations • Programs take 1 or 2 years (less than university) and are less expensive • Some programs require academic high school credits. Many don’t. See your counsellor or contact the college.

20. Community Colleges in Atlantic Canada • NS Community College • NB Community College • NB College of Forest Technology • Holland College (PEI) • College of the North Atlantic (Nfld) • College de l’Acadie (NS – part of U Ste Anne)

21. NS COMMUNITY COLLEGE • Business oriented, trades and technical programs – a huge variety • One college but 13 campuses (examples are Akerley, Waterfront, Institute of Technology, Centre for Geographic Sciences, Kingstec) • Most require minimum Grade 12, sometimes with academic courses.

22. NS COMMUNITY COLLEGE • You can apply as soon as you enter your Gr 12 year. “First come – first qualified.” • $25 to apply • Most programs about $2800/yr plus books • A few programs are much more expensive • See the calendar, available in Guidance or online, for list of programs and descriptions.

23. Cooking Electrical – construction and industrial Furniture & Woodworking Gas Installation and Service Graphic Design Steamfitting/Pipefitting Tourism and Hospitality Radio & TV arts Sound Recording Heavy Duty Equipment Repair Landscaping Appliance Service Automotive Service Automotive Collision Repair Business Administration Carpentry Survey Technician Outdoor Power Equipment - Motorcycle NS Community College Programming

24. About PRIVATE COLLEGES • Also called private trade schools, career colleges, business colleges, etc. These are private businesses operated for profit. • Programs are usually 1 or 2 years • Train you specifically for a certain occupation • There are many right here in the Halifax area. • Concentrate on business and human service training programs

25. Academy of Cosmetology Hair Design Ctr Concepts School of Cosmetology Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Educ Ctr for Arts & Technology ICT Northumberland College (massage) Success College, Sackville Cdn College of Massage & Hydrotherapy Moncton Flight College Maritime Business College Private Colleges that came to last year’s EXPO

26. About Apprenticeship Training • This is the best bargain • Many skilled trades require you to be an apprentice (on job learner) before you are fully qualified (journeyperson). An apprenticeship is a program in which you learn on thejob under the supervision of a qualified person. • Involves some in-school time (Some courses at NSCC) • Get paid while working as an apprentice • Eventually write exams and put in time and become qualified yourself • Can take pure apprenticeship without going to community college. This route is basically free, as you are paid while under training. • More info at: http://apprenticeship.ednet.ns.ca/

27. APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING • Some trades require apprenticeship: examples: automotive service tech, bricklayer, construction electrician, motor vehicle repair oil burner mechanic, plumber, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, stationary engineer, truck and transport mechanic • Some trades are optional: examples are carpenter, boilermaker, cook, millwright, machinist, motor vehicle repair (body), welder, etc. • Apprenticeship is a contract between you, your employer/ trainer and the government. • MANY OF THESE TRADES ARE, OR WILL BE, IN HUGE DEMAND AND COULD YIELD HIGH INCOMES.

28. About the Military • For more info call the CF Recruiting Centre at 1 (800) 856-8488 or walk in during business hours (Scotia Square) • Recruiters for the forces in general will be here at Education Expo • Local reserve units come to the school at various times to recruit • Enter ROTP (paid university plus training) • Enter CEOTP (military training then subsidized part-time university spread over several years, while working) • Join the reserves (part-time work). Get up to $2000 award each year when you finish a year of college or university.

29. FOR MORE INFORMATION • ON ANY COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY: • BORROW THE BOOKLETS OR CALENDARS • AVAILABLE IN THE GUIDANCE OFFICE, OR • 2. GO ON-LINE. Many post-secondary institutions are moving to completely online information and registration formats. • 3. GO TO MILLWOOD VIRTUAL GUIDANCE OFFICE

30. How Do I Apply?

31. Applying to University or College (typical procedure) • Access the online applications • Review with Counsellor if you wish; then send to the university • There are application fees ($45+) • Request transcripts from Guidance (binder on counter), and pick up when ready.

32. Applying to University or College (typical procedure) Cont’d • Mail or take to the institution prior to deadline. • Usually all of this is after 1st semester marks are in. You can apply before your marks are available. Some schools (NSCC and some universities) will allow you to apply as early as NOW! For NSCC you should apply ASAP. • Procedure may be a little different if you are applying for a scholarship.

33. Check with your Counsellor: • Before you apply, check to see if you have the right courses and high enough marks. • If borderline, but have extenuating circumstances, your Counsellor can be of great assistance. • Do you mention adaptations or learning difficulties?

34. Replies from Institutions • May take several weeks, especially if you applied early • Typical replies: • Conditional acceptance(“as long as you keep your marks up, you’re in”) • Deferral(“we’re interested but let’s see your marks later – April or June) • Placed on waiting list(“acceptable but we’re full” common at Community College) • Rejection(“you aren’t taking the courses needed” or “your marks are way too low”) • Final acceptance(only when all requirements have been met – rare before graduation)

35. How Can I Pay?

36. Visit Guidance Website • From Millwood homepage select: • Guidance • Post-Secondary • Financial Info (info on financing, scholarships and awards) • Institution link (will take you to a comprehensive list of links to post-secondary institutions)

37. Costs of Post-Secondary Education(multiply by number of years in the program) • Tuition Fees • Other Fees (activities, athletic, health, etc) • Books and supplies • Room and board (home and away) • Transportation • Miscellaneous and Social (may be different than if not at school)

38. Paying for Post-Secondary • Student Savings • Awards (Scholarships and Bursaries) • Student’s employment income: summers and during the school year • Student Loans • RESP’s and other investments • Family pay-as-you-go

39. Awards • Local awardsprovided by local service clubs, foundations and businesses (may be based on affinity and/or need as well as marks) • Applications usually January to May. • Some are administered by the school. • Examples: Kinsmen, CWL, Rotary, Masons, Sackville Community Awards. Values $100 to $1000. Not always necessary to be an academic student. • Private Scholarships provided by employers and unions to dependents of workers, or to workers themselves. • Examples are Sobey’s, Canadian Tire, Imperial Oil, NSGEU, RCMP Values typically $1000 and up.

40. TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Outstanding Community Leadership Value: up to $70,000 each Apply individually, no nomination Required. Application forms available At www.tdcanadatrust.com/scholarship Winners have typically been leaders in Outstanding community services Deadline: Oct. 31/11

41. Wendy’s Classic Achiever Scholarships These are valued at up to $6000 And are open to students with a good Academic record, combined with extracurriculars And may require you to be working part-time. Apply online in October http://www.wendysclassicachiever.ca/

42. Terry Fox Humanitarian Awards Apply after Christmas

43. More on Awards • Grants for special populations: examples are Education Incentive Fund for African Canadian Students, First Nations Funds, Funds for students with physical and/or learning challenges. • Military Reserves Scholarships. Members of reserve units, working part-time are eligible for scholarships to university and community college. • Education and Training Planssuch as ROTP (already mentioned) and Coast Guard College • Entrance Scholarships.

44. Entrance Scholarships • Awarded by practically all universities, and by some private colleges. • Values typically $200 to $7000. May be renewable. At least 80% needed for smaller ones. Mid-nineties and up typically for largest.

45. Entrance Scholarships, cont’d. • The marks used for these scholarships are usually the same ones used to determine entrance into the school. • Typically includes English 12 and best 4 other academic Grade 12 marks. • Only the marks available up to the end of 1stsemester Gr 12 are used. • A few universities use only Gr 12 level marks even if there are less than five available at the time. • Most use Grade 11 marks if there are less than 5 Grade 12’s available.

46. Student Loans • Two types: • Government • Private

47. Government Student Loans • Administered by the NS Dept of Education. • They determine eligibility. • Many students are not eligible due to a combination of higher family income and/or low education costs.

48. Government Student Loans, cont’d. • There is no repayment of the loan and there is no interest until after studies have been completed. • A portion of the loan may be remitted (does not have to be repaid) if good marks are obtained. • Apply beginning in April (approximately)- apply on-line at: www.studentloans.ednet.ns.ca

49. Private Student Loans • Based on a student budget and on having a co-signer with an acceptable credit rating (usually a parent, but not necessarily) • Student draws funds as necessary. • Interest, at a preferred rate, is paid monthly on the amount borrowed. The principal is not paid on until after studies end. • Apply anytime, once plans are firm. • Example: http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/student/stline.jsp

50. Conclusion • Confirm you are a grad • Start looking at post-secondary options now • Visit guidance for career help and help with applying • Lots of options for financing (check our website)